Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W350 user reviews
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User reviews2
Keli Mutiso 19 March 2011
Good: Easy to use; automated functionality settings; crisp photos and great videos; smart in many ways
Bad: Smart Interoperability with other devices hampered by wired interfaces and cabling constraints
Comment: The Sony DSC-W350 is a very easy to use digital camera. It has a very intuitive instructions set and keystroke operations; taking a photo operation can be explained and learned in less than 5 seconds. Other operations can be learnt equally as quickly for the digitally intiated and adventurous. There is no real need to read the manual except for battery charge instructions, warranty information and inventory taking of accessories. Keep the manual though, it might come in useful for more advanced endeavours.
Photo and esp. Video capabilities are impressive for such a small device. Many settings are determined automatically allowing you to focus on your subject matter.
Although Plug play software guides the user when connecting camera to a PC for photo downloads; retrieving photos and esp. videos on a Windows PC requires some in depth knowledge of the windows file system and some hunting through non-obvious folder names to determine where photo and video files have been stored. Further more file names and meta file names can offputting to non-IT folks.
More advanced functionality has not been immediately forth coming in this camera especially whether it has or can be installed with bluetooth capabilities which would potentially allow more impressive set of networking and efficiency capabilities for users and value added services for providers.
bastardo 2 March 2011
Good: Fantastic pictures and high quality video
Bad: Proprietary lock-in nightmare!!!
Comment: We have two DSC-W350s bought as Xmas presents in 2010.
My advice is to check out the cost of all the proprietary stuff you need to use with these Sony devices.
First, our cameras didn;t have any memory cards - and wanted Sony's Pro Duo memory sticks.
Second, my little boy lost the battery somehow (he's only 10!) and I bought a cheap replacement from the internet - the camera actually warned me about using 'compatible batteries only' and switched itself off! You can't buy a replacement battery unless Sony say it's ok!
Thirdly, I visited THREE camera shops looking for a cable to allow us to watch the HD films on the telly and got told that they didn't stock "Sony cables". What's that? Yes, you have to buy a really expensive cable (NOT the one supplied in the box) to watch your HD movies!!!
I will NEVER buy another Sony product because I feel they have robbed me by stealth - there is nothing on the box or in the literature that tells you about this being locked in to proprietary accessories and consumables - you only find out after you have made the purchase.
I have two Kodak EasyShare cameras - they use rechargeable batteries from the pound shop and mini-USB cables, also from the pound shop. The memory they take is normal SD card types you can get for a few pounds.
Why do I need special Sony memory, cables and batteries?
Don't get ripped off like I did.
Oh, the pictures are truly exceptional and the product is superb, but my complaint is this terrible policy of forcing you to buy their own brand replacement parts.
Imagine if your car only accepted Ford petrol...